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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

This Wednesday (August 21) I will be
talking about the colourful radicals of the early
labour movement in Wellington – anarchists and the Industrial Workers of
the World. As well as organising one of New Zealand’s first anarchist
collectives, Philip Josephs and members of the IWW were active in Wellington's
working-class counter culture and the Great Strike of 1913. This talks
aims to highlight the role of literature, mass meetings and international influences on these events.

Friday, August 9, 2013

On this day in 1916 Margaret Mumme, the wife of Somes Island internee and anarchist Carl Mumme, wrote to Minister of Defence James Allen saying two bondsmen were willing to vouch for Carl if he was released. Allen replied that nothing less than a 100 pound bond would do: Margaret replied that they couldn't afford the £100 without borrowing money; that the family was already on assistance from the Benevolent board; and then pleaded with Allen that her 5 children did not understanding why their father was interned. Allen was not moved - it would take another 3 years before Carl was released...